A New England Journal of Medicine article published in December, 2013 by A. Hviid et al. titled “Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and risk of autism.” demonstrates further the connection between prenatal exposure to a mother’s selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs) and increased risk for congenital malformations and autism.
Hviid et al. (2013) provide background by stating, in part, that, “Studies have raised concern about an association between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in the offspring.”
Studying all (single) live births in Denmark (1996-2005) – over 625,000 in total, the team “linked information on maternal use of SSRIs before and during pregnancy, autism spectrum disorders diagnosed in the offspring, and a range of potential confounders.”
In all, “3892 cases of autism spectrum disorder” were identified in the general population “(incidence rate, 77.0 per 100,000 person-years)” and “52 cases” of autism were found in “offspring of women who were exposed to SSRIs during their pregnancy (incidence rate, 122.6 per 100,000 person-years).”
This team made two findings. First, they found that “On the basis of the upper boundary of the confidence interval, our study could not rule out a relative risk up to 1.61, and therefore the association warrants further study,” meaning that it is possible the risk for autism is raised by 61% if a mother uses SSRIs in pregnancy.
Next, they found that “Among women who received SSRIs before pregnancy but not during pregnancy, the corresponding fully adjusted rate ratio was 1.46 (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.81).” This means that if a woman used SSRIs before pregnancy, the risk for autism was (definitely) raised by 46%.
Because so many women have used SSRIs unaware of these risks, thousands of SSRI birth defect lawsuits and SSRI autism lawsuits are currently being filed.
If you or a loved one used SSRIs and gave birth to a child with a birth defect or who was diagnosed with autism, your family may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of SSRI birth defect lawyers at the information provided below. We have the compassion, experience, and resources required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help.
(855) 452 – 5529
Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.